Submitted by: Submitted by Beenielee
Views: 10
Words: 461
Pages: 2
Category: Science and Technology
Date Submitted: 05/17/2016 08:52 PM
Jim is a 70-year-old university professor who is suffering from uncontrollable hand and arm shaking after taking Serpalan, an antihypertensive medication prescribed by his doctor. He later noticed, that he has twitches in his shoulder which lead to a noticeable tremor in his right arm and leg. His handwriting is illegible. He is having difficulties to cutting his meals and bringing his cup of coffee to his mouth. His neurological exam showed a normal gait, MRI and EEG. Jim has mild voice and arm tremors, mild bradykinesia and rigidity of his limbs and trunk. Therefore, the hypothesized cause of Jim’s symptoms is Parkinson’s disease which is caused from damage to the parietal cortex of the brain
Parkinson's disease is caused by low dopamine levels in the substantia nigra in the brain. With an individual producing a fewer and a fewer dopamine, a person has less and less ability to regulate their movements, body and emotions. The damage to the area of the brain involves the frontal context; the basal ganglia area of gray matter involved in voluntary movements and parietal cortex which allows us to feel pain, touch, regulate temperature and aid with two-point discrimination. Because of the the low production of dopamine in Jim’s brain, it causes dysfunction in his movements and balance. There is also damage to the cerebellum, which controls balance and movements. The normal functionality of these areas affected would be having a good two-point discrimination, coordinated balance and movements. The tremor in Jim’s voice and rigidity of limbs and trunk are influenced by the damage to his parietal cortex. While Jim may never get rid of the disease, there are a few options to depress the symptoms of Parkinson disease.
In discussing treatment options, Parlodel and/or Deprenyl are suggested from his doctors. Parlodel and Deprenyl both act as the dopamine replacements once its gets into the brain. Parlodel lessens the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease by activating...